Thirimanne and Jayawardene piled on 156 runs for the third wicket.

Mahela Jayawardene was dismissed for 75 by Mohammad Tahla not before a superb partnership with Lahiru Thirimanne put Sri Lnka on course to victory. In-form Thirimanne and veteran Jayawardene showed their class in blunting the Pakistan bowling attack after Saeed Ajmal’s twin strikes rocked the Sri Lankan boat after the blazing start by opener Kusal Perera.

The partnership between the duo has crossed the 150 mark and the classy Thirimanne looks poised to finish things off the way he started Asia Cup 2014 — with a century against Pakistan.